Tom Danielson fails doping test
Tom Danielson tests positive for synthetic testosterone in an out-of-competition test performed July 9
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Tom Danielson (Cannondale-Garmin) tested positive for synthetic testosterone in an out-of-competition test performed July 9, according to tweets from the rider Sunday night.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has not formally announced the positive test, but informed Danielson of the result on August 2.
“Tonight has been one of the worst nights of my life,” Danielson wrote on Twitter. “While I was eating dinner with my team the night before Tour of Utah I received a call [from] USADA notifying me that a out of competition test I gave July 9th has tested positive for, from what I understand, synthetic testosterone.”
Danielson, 37, will sit out the Tour of Utah, which he was scheduled to start Monday, as he awaits the results of his B sample. He won the last two editions of the race.
I would never ever take anything like this especially after everything I have gone through the last years. This makes absolutely no sense
— tom danielson (@tomdanielson) August 3, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Further Tweets from the American rider, who served a six-month suspension, from September 1, 2012 to March 1, 2013, after he admitted to doping during his time with the Discovery Channel team, state that he will have the supplements he takes tested for possible contamination.
Danielson faces a lifetime ban from the sport should his B sample confirm the positive test.
I feel incredibly hurt, frustrated, and angry by this. I don't understand how or why this happened and still can't even accept this is true
— tom danielson (@tomdanielson) August 3, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Cannondale-Garmin released a statement Monday, confirming Danielson’s immediate suspension.
“Tom Danielson notified Slipstream Sports that he was informed by USADA that he has returned an adverse analytical A sample using carbon isotope testing. In accordance with Slipstream Sports’ zero tolerance anti-doping policy, he has been suspended from competition, effective immediately. He awaits the results his B sample. Slipstream respects and will adhere to the process of the anti-doping authorities and will not comment further.”
This story is developing, check back for more.